Preview: Crystal Palace vs Brighton and Hove Albion

In the 99th meeting between the sides, Palace host Brighton for the first time since 2013’s Championship play-off semi-final hoping to continue their recent good record against the Seagulls.

The Eagles have lost just one of their last eight home games against their arch-rivals, which will hand them a boost having not tasted success at Selhurst Park since January's win against Burnley - a run of four games.

Winless in their last three games, Brighton have been poor on their travels during their first season in the Premier League. They've won just twice and amassed 10 points on the road, with only Stoke City and West Bromwich Albion returning less. However, they are unbeaten against Palace during their previous five top-flight meetings.

Selhurst awaits goal-hungry Murray's return

In the third meeting of the sides this term, the south coast club managed to inflict a blow on Roy Hodgson’s team as they knocked them out of the FA Cup third round in January thanks to Glenn Murray’s late winner. The former Palace favourite could feature at Selhurst Park for the first time in his career as an opposition player, having bagged 13 goals already this term, 11 in the league.

Those have been crucial to Brighton’s survival chances. Chris Hughton would have taken their current league position if handed this situation at the start of the season, however they could have already secured their top-flight status had they not embarked on a run of one win from 14 games spanning the turn of the year.

That streak was broken in February as they picked up 10 points from their next four games to edge clear from danger, however defeats to Everton and Leicester City were followed by last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Huddersfield Town. Albion are still looking nervously over their shoulder, especially should Palace claim three points on Saturday to move to within touching distance of their bitter rivals.

View From The Opposition

Chris Hughton: “The players are ready, but every game for us, particularly away from home, is difficult and our performances have been mixed.

“We’ve had some very good performances away from home this season and some good results. They’re the ones that you have to tune into. You can’t expect to go anywhere away from home and expect it to be comfortable.

“It will be a very good and big atmosphere, but what you have to be able to do it is enjoy it. You have to enjoy the challenge of going somewhere where it will favour the home side. But we have to look at the good results we’ve had away from home.”

Team News

Christian Benteke has taken part in training this week but continues to be assessed after missing last week's draw at Bournemouth with a groin strain, but Alexander Sørloth has recovered from his hamstring injury and trained all week.

Jeffrey Schlupp (ankle) and Connor Wickham (groin) are still out, while Jason Puncheon, Scott Dann and Bakary Sako are now the only long-term casualties.

Davy Propper will be suspended for this game after picking up a red card against Huddersfield last weekend, with Brighton failing with their appeal. Beram Kayal expected to deputise in central midfield while Anthony Knockaert will be available again after serving his three-game ban

Long-term casualties Steve Sidwell (back), Izzy Brown (knee) and Jiri Skalak (ankle) are all out of this game.

Matchday Officials

For the third time this season, Andre Marriner has been placed in charge of Palace v Brighton, and has only dished out three yellow cards in those encounters. He also oversaw the Eagles' home games against Swansea City, Chelsea and Newcastle United, but Palace have only won six times on the 22 occasions he has officiated them.

Matchday Stats

Wilfried Zaha has scored three goals in seven appearances against Brighton – against no other team has he scored more goals against in his career.

Luka Milivojevic has scored in his last three games and is the first Palace midfielder to score 10 goals in a single Premier League season.

Indeed, the Serbian has scored in each of his last three Premier League games - the only Palace player to score in more consecutively is Neil Shipperley (five in a row between October and December 1997).

Shane Duffy has made more clearances (269) and more headed clearances (201) than any other player in the division this term.

Palace have lost just three of their last 14 games against Brighton in all competitions (W7 D4 L3).

There have been more own goals scored in Premier League games involving Brighton this season than any other team (6 in total - 5 against, 1 for).

The last time Brighton won twice against the Eagles in the same season was back in 1985/86 when they also won a Full Members Cup tie.

Brighton have scored fewer away Premier League goals this season than any other side (7), failing to score in seven of their last nine on the road.

Chris Hughton's side have conceded in each of their last 11 Premier League games - the longest current run without a clean sheet in the division.